The collaboration comes at an opportune time, given the undervaluation of many Hong Kong stocks.

Hong Kong-based investment firm Chartwell Capital has announced that prominent emerging market investor Mark Mobius (pictured) has joined as a non-executive, independent advisor. 

With nearly four decades of experience investing in emerging markets, American-born German Mobius, 87, will offer insights to Chartwell Capital.

Mobius and Chartwell Capital focus on identifying undervalued opportunities beyond traditional indices and large-cap stocks, delving into sectors and companies that are often overlooked, the firm said. 

Mobius is best known for his role at Franklin Templeton Investments where he managed one of the world’s first emerging markets funds. He helped grow the group’s emerging market assets under management from $100 million to $50 billion prior to his departure in 2018. In the same year, Mobius founded Mobius Capital Partners with two former colleagues, Carlos Hardenberg and Greg Konieczny, which he recently stepped down from. The firm runs a $42 million fund, and a £164 million investment trust both focusing on emerging markets, primarily investing in Taiwan, India, South Korea and Brazil.

Mobius has also contributed to developing international policies for emerging markets. He served on the World Bank's Global Corporate Governance Forum as a member of the Private Sector Advisory Group and as co-chairman of its Investor Responsibility Task Force in 1999.

“Hong Kong is a place of personal and professional significance for me, as it's where I began my journey in fund management. It remains a vital international finance centre and a key access point to China,” Mobius said. “I'm optimistic about the Hong Kong stock market's future, and I see unique opportunities amid the market's downturn. I believe Chartwell Capital has the right approach and positioning to navigate this landscape successfully.”

“His investment expertise and global business connections are invaluable assets to us. We believe his involvement as a strategic advisor will greatly enhance our reach and take the company to new heights,” Ronald Chan, founder and chief investment officer at Chartwell Capital, said.

Founded in 2007, Chartwell Capital is a Hong Kong-based investment firm that focuses on China’s Greater Bay Area and the Asia-Pacific region, favouring family-controlled, small- to mid-capitalisation companies. It serves institutional clients such as endowment and pension funds, charitable foundations, family offices, and high net worth individuals. See more coverage about the firm here.